Name: John Taggart aka The Skipper Age: 40 Height: 5'11" Build: Average Frame, but muscular from life at sea Hair: Brown pulled back in a ponytail Facial Hair: none Eyes: Brown Apparel:Naval Uniform Gear: Weapons:Sword, and pistol Rank:Captain Ship:HMS Defiance Ship Description and class: Class & type: 44-gun Frigate (Fifth Rate) Length: 146 ft 3 1⁄2 in (44.6 m) (gundeck) Beam: 46 ft 6 in (11.73 m) Ship's Crew: 150 Marine Compliment: 200 Depth of hold: 15 ft 9 1⁄2 in (4.8 m) Keel Laid: 1740 Deployed: 1742 Refitted:1744 Ship's Crew First Mate (Second in Command) Gunner's Mate GM (In charge of shipboard weapons) Boatswain's Mate BM (In charge of keeping the ship in good condition) Quartermaster QM (In charge of Navigation) Corpsman HM (In charge of crew health) Ship's Carpenter (In charge of repairing Ship Damage) Able Bodied Sailor ABS (Sailor's who fill in where needed) Ship ranks will be First through Third class Based on job experience. For example a new Gunner's Mate will be a GM3. An older more experienced GM may be a GM1 (Gunner's Mate First Class) or even a Master Gunner's Mate who is in charge overall of ship weapons. Ship's History Captain Taggart is the second Commanding Officer of the Defiance. The first captain was relieved of his command due to dereliction of duty and failure to obey an order from a commanding officer, when he refused to chase a Pirate ship that was larger and faster than the Defiance. After taking on his new crew Captain Taggart completed his shakedown cruise in 1743. Defiance had her first overhaul in 1744, several storage holds were removed and turned into berthing to allow a larger compliment of Marines on board. This has added the capability of allowing the Defiance to have larger boarding parties and increase mission capacity. The Defiance is currently taking on fresh supplies and new crewmen at the Florida Keys Ships Destroyed by the Defiance: Pirate Vessels: Seven Keg 1742 Broken Oak 1743 Resolution 1744 Black Market Merchants: Black Bull 1742 Crowned Prince 1742 Faction: Navy Background:John was left at an orphanage when he was a baby. His mother left a note saying she was sorry they couldn't take care of him. At the age of eight he ran away and joined the Royal Navy. He has worked his way up from a humble cabin boy to a captain of a Frigate. In his 32 years of flying he has been through several battles and skirmishes and has literally been around the world. Like most naval captains his crew have become his family, and he takes pride in caring for them and his vessel. He has a strong sense of honor and does not put up with shoddy work. He is a tough but fair captain and does his best to get the best out of his crew. Throughout his career John has seen several of his shipmates move on and become Merchants, and even Pirates. He has invested with a few different merchant captains with his extra pay. His goal is to one day retire in a small villa by the sea away from the chaos of the world. John cannot stand dishonesty and has made a vow to hunt down Pirates and and black market traders that strike fear into the hearts of good, hard working merchantmen and women. Ship Diagram

Name:Null L'Ange Age:24 Height:6 ft. Build:Lightly Muscular Hair:Blonde short gentleman's cut. Facial Hair: Short scruffy, but close stubble. Eyes:Gunmetal (Real eye color that changes with mood and environment) Apparel:French military jacket, but a typical tricorn and pantaloons. Gear:Cigar case and cutter (well-sharpened), Matches, Pocketwatch/Compass-on-chain. Weapons:Custom Black Steel Falchion with a devil tail pommel, winged hilt, and double infinity ouraboras on the handle for a grip. Rank:Captain Ship:Du Morte Ship Description and class: A french 21-gun frigate with midnight blue silk ballons. (Ex-Navy Ship) Faction:Pirate Background:Null began his life poor and unwanted and nameless in the city of Cannes. He grew up a street boy, and learned to climb and scrap and escape as well as any young thief on the streets. He quickly developed a reputation for never being seen, stealing from a shopkeep in such a way that it seemed nothing at all had occurred, giving him the nickname "Null". He was after his twelfth year the leader of a gang of ragtags and runaways who took charge of crimes withing northern Cannes... well small crimes. His real boss had been a man who went by the name L'Ange, who not too long after employing Null to run small crimes, started speaking of him as a son, and dubbed him "Null L'Ange" giving Null his surname. When Null turned twenty L'Ange came to him with an idea to enlist him in the French Navy, then commandeer on of the dreadnought vessels for privateering, L'Ange of course receiving a cut of whatever was brought back and sold. Null agreed that it was a terrific idea, and promptly left to enlist. The strange thing is that it is said L'Ange never left that office, yet inspection of it showed no sign of either a struggle, or a body. L'ange was never heard from again. Null enlisted in the navy, and with the help of his gang of street theives, (teenagers most of them), Took the ship he had been assigned to without spilling a drop of blood, and dropping all of the crew overboard. This gave him an immediate notoriety that was unrivaled for a starting pirate, and it soon became clear that Europe was no longer safe. secretly changing the ships silken ballon from the french baby blue and white to a midnight blue, he sailed off under cover of night, to the America's to plunder the Carribean Main.

Name:Molly Wennstretch Age: 23 Hair: Auburn hair usually pulled back and covered by a bandanna. Skin:Pale and freckled Eyes: Stormy gray Height: 5'7 Weight: 150 lbs Build: Toned and a little more muscle in her arms. Rank: Crew member. (Ship mechanic) Skills: Weapon and machine repair. Strong for her height and weight. Wardrobe: Usually a pair of overalls, work boots, goggles and a work shirt rolled up to the shoulders. Weapons:Blunt objects that are readily available in her workshop. She occasionally uses a firearm though she is a terrible shot. Faction: Pirate Back story: Molly used to work in a weapons factory and before that a shop that specialized in ship repair. Her uncle owned the shop and her learned everything from him. Though she was a girl, she was among the best mechanics in her area, but that doesn't mean that everyone is willing to give a young woman a job on their vessel. This predicament led her to look for employment in less honorable places.

Name: Albrecht Schuster Age: 27 Height: 5'8" Build: Slightly below average Hair: Light brown hair, often messy Facial Hair: A small, scraggly beard that covers the chin, area around the mouth, and the bottom half of both cheeks. Eyes: Grey Apparel: A sturdy pair of brown leather boots kept well repaired over the years, grey wool socks and leggings, reddish-brown cotton shirt and wool coat, brown leather gloves, and a grey wool cap. Gear: Rope, knife, needle, leather scraps & thread for repairing boots and shoes Weapons: Musket, Boarding axe Rank: Sailor Ship: So long as this character is on a merchant's ship, all will be well. Ship Description and class: [Only fill out if the vessel be yers] Faction: Merchant Background: Albrecht Schuster was born in the gaggle of quarreling states known as the Holy Roman Empire, in the Principality of Waldeck in a large village, as the middle son of a cobbler and his wife. Although instructed in the basics of the trade from an early age, most of his father's attention went to his eldest brother, Wilhelm. Albrecht and his other siblings whom received little acknowledgement or attention from their parents, often went out of the village to visit aging farmers. Once there, they were often told old folktales and stories from the old country. Eventually Albrecht and his siblings outgrew the stories, but still visited the elderly farmers. Albrecht would then go to visit his grandparents to hear their stories and their experiences in life. Albrecht's grandfather told him of how he himself had been the captain of a small merchant vessel, fought off pirates, and rescued damsels in distress. The stories would change with each visit; sometimes involving a monarch congratulating the old man, a stash of treasure, or a giant pirate frigate being brought to the ground in a hail of fire. Albrecht figured out that his grandfather was often spinning yarns. Yet again, he didn't mind. He had a newly found interest in the sky and the vessels that sailed it. He told himself that he would one day become rich and famous. That there would be books written about him for years to come after his death. All of it would become true provided he had the starting funds. With money from the odd jobs he had done over the years, he bought lessons to speak and write in Spanish. The lessons were expensive, but if he wanted any chance in realizing his dream, he would have to learn other languages. Albrecht finished his schooling in Spanish, penniless. 15 years old, and he had resisted all attempts of becoming an apprentice to learn language from a Spaniard. He had become more cynical by this age. Angry that he had wasted his short time on this earth, Albrecht Schuster almost became a beggar. Until his grandfather talked to him, and taught him about what it was like to be a sailor. No tall tales this time. Only teachings. Albrecht had been fascinated by masers and all of the other technology that had gone into airships. His grandfather wrote a letter to an old merchant captain to start off Albrecht in his journey. Now 19 years old, Albrecht was flatly rejected for the job. So, he repaired shoes and helped out in his father's shop. As absent of his presence as ever, he didn't even notice when Albrecht stole his musket, some funds, and left home. He left a letter for his family, promising that he would return either rich, famous, or dead. Albrecht traveled to Spain, and got a job on a merchant vessel as the captain's personal servant. In turn, he would be taught more than just the basics. He remained the Captain's servant for two years, and when he had viewed himself as ready, he got a job as a sailor on another merchant ship. He would do all he could so that he could realize his dream.

Name: Thomas Leigh Slater Age: 35 Height: 5' 10" Build: Lithe, limber, wiry, though muscled and strong. Hair: Brown, tied into a ponytail Facial Hair: Stubble; keeps it shaved so that it stays that way, neither beard nor cleanshaven. Eyes: One shockingly clear blue eye, his right- the a shockingly clear green eye. Combined, he can ensnare almost anyone in his piercing gaze (which he uses to his advantage). Apparel: White shirt with dirtied, oily sleeves rolled up past the elbow. Leather pants, which have black slacks sewn onto them to make them more presentable (though still undoubtedly dirty at all times), and a brown, thicker waistcoat, obviously as a bit of padding against the cold, and as a bit more protection. Overall, he appears to be somewhat fancily dressed, with his 'custom' clothes, but the cleanliness of the clothes indicates that he rather likes it, and wears it as work clothes instead. Gear: Leather harness that is able to hold a variety of items, from bullets for his revolver, to items that can clip on, to items he can put into pouches dotting it. Also has a larger leather belt with similar set-ups, with loops for bullets, clips, pouches and small bags. Generally carries a toolbox's worth on his harness- and occasionally carries a satchel with more gear and gadgets Rank: Mechanic (Yes, I realize there's already a mechanic, and I also realize that a ship could probably do with two or three, since multiple things may go wrong at once, and one will always want a fellow to back them up if they have to start working on the exteriors of a ship's engines) Weapons: Carries a small knife that can be used to cut rope or the like, and any gadget he decides to put together Faction: Merchant, I guess? He doesn't sail or sell, just fix and repair, like Molly Background: Higher-born mystery background. Other: Note that I have read both Airborn and Skybreaker. Originally, this app was for Hyperion

Name: John Archer Age: 32 Height: 5'8 Build: Lean and muscular, with pale skin. Hair: Brown cut to regulation lengths Facial Hair: Clean shaven. Eyes: Heterochormia one eye is green and the other blue. Apparel: Royal navy captains coat and trousers in the usual red coloring. Gear:Compass, spyglass, whittling knife. Weapons: Rank:Captain Ship:HMS Dragon Description and class: The HMS Dragon is a British ship of the line, built to dominate the skies in the name of her majesty the queen, it boasts 78 guns and two mazers that are on the port and starboard sides. The Dragon was built for one purpose and that is bringing a lot of cannons or guns to the fight so that it can stand toe to toe with other ships, but she is also a thing of beauty with a dragon figurehead and the decks polished so much they practically shine. Captain Archer sees the Dragon as his baby and does not tolerate even the slightest thing out of place on er. The HMS dragon also has a contingent of Royal Marines and the means to arm them, a lucky shot on the ships armory could cause the whole thing to go up. And as of right now it is being used to secure the queens interests in the Caribbean, which mostly means protecting merchants. Faction:English Royal Navy Background:John Archer was born into wealth and prestige. His father was a very rich man and had been apart of the English old boys club for sometime, which meant that John was allowed a better education than most. As the boy grew up he took a interest in tactics from a friend of his father who was a admiral in the royal navy, these two developed a bond much akin to a mentor and his pupil with the admiral telling the boy about his time in the navy serving the queen. After his time with the Admiral and when he was of age John told his father about his desire to join the royal navy. His father denied him, and instead sent him to practice law. So he became the equivalent of a trust fund child. He attended grand parties and drank, flirted with women, and all around sullied his family name. Eventually his father quietly took his son out of law and allowed him to pursue his own dreams of joining the royal navy, which with his fathers rank within the empire allowed him to go in as a officer serving under the Admiral that tutored him for so long John found himself on the HMS Broadwater. During his time on Broadwater, John had travel all around the Atlantic bringing justice to the queens enemies. Going from battle to battle wore down the young officer, who began to find comfort in drinking, fighting, gambling, and in women often times deserting his post to do all of these things. His self-destructive life style did not go unnoticed and some of the other officers aboard the Broadwater reported John to the admiral, who faced with no choice was to be brought before a tribunal when they next stopped in England. On their way back to England for John to stand trial they came under attack by pirates, they attacked so suddenly they barely had time to react. In the battle not only did the Admiral so did the Admirals first mate, even without the two officers, and thanks to Johns quick thinking they managed to fight off the pirates and hobble off with a heavily damaged airship. With their two primary officers dead John was put in charge, so he continued their course into England. When they finally made it back home, John faced the tribunal with the members of the Broadwater's crew. Who testified on his behalf that he saved their lives and somehow got them home in one piece. Instead of facing a demotion John was rewarded with a promotion in the form of a captaincy of a new ship in her majesty's fleet. The HMS Dragon One of the greatest ships assembled by the royal navy. His first job of captain was to enforce the queens will within the Caribbean and protect her interests.

Name Jeremy Robin Matthews Age Twenty-five Height: 5' 9" Build Slim, flexible,verging on almost acrobatic. Hair Black, kept short for the most part. Though on occasion he's let it grow out to just above his shoulders. When that happens it's always well groomed and tied back. Facial Hair Long sideburns that come down to about an inch above his jaw. He tired for a mustache in regulations,but it just didn't suit his face. So clean shaven for the most part. Eyes A nice greeny grey Apparel Naval uniform Gear Weapons Sword, knife (while technically not meant as a weapon, it's handy in a pinch), musket and pistol. And if all else fails, a nice punch to the face will do. Rank Gunners Mate 3rd class Ship HMS Defiance Faction Navy Background He doesn't like to talk about his family, or his past really. If it doesn't go in his naval record, he's unlikely to want to talk to anyone about it. That being said: Jeremy was born the second son and third child of five in a well to do family. There were things in less familial past that drove him to join the Royal Navy at eighteen. He is working his way from crewmen to...where he'll go from there. He's not certain and not really bothered either way. He wants to be useful, that's what matters. He served briefly on another vessel before being recently assigned to his new floating home.

Name: Olivia “Ollie” Bentham Age: Thirteen Height: She stands just under five feet off the ground. Build: Thin and small framed. Hair: Messy and Wiry hair. Messily chopped short. Facial Hair:None to be found. Eyes: Dark Brown, both still intact. Apparel: Ollie is outfitted with poor mans clothing. A cheap cloth shirt and pants and completely lacks footwear. She wears a locket around her neck. Gear: Weapons: Keeps a dagger in her trouser pocket. Rank:Cabin boy girl. Ship: Faction: Unaffiliated but with an extreme disliking for the Navy. Background: Ollie was born to a pirate father and a mother who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time during a raid. She was told that the 'father-daughter' bond took place as soon as she was born, and he stuck around to raise her. That was until the Navy caught up and he was executed. After the death of her father Ollie ran away from home, not wanting to follow in her mothers footsteps and become a tailor. She wandered the streets, looking for her place in the world. Her first goal, sneak onto an airship.

((All Characters Accepted, Story begins IC in the Florida Keys with all of the captains meeting together))